NORWICH – The Norwich Cyclones’ “C” team earned a spot in the Tri-Valley League championship game by defeating Marcy/Deerfield 27-20 in a hard-fought contest last weekend at Alumni Field. 

The Cyclones, Eastern Division champs, will face the undefeated Western Division champs, Cazenovia, Saturday at noon in Canastota.

Cole Rifanburg knotted the score at 7-7 early in the second stanza on an eight-yard touchdown run and point-after pass to Carter Hubbard. With 24 seconds remaining until halftime, Rifanburg completed a 10-yard TD toss to Dalen Geislinger. Hubbard ran in the conversion for a 14-14 halftime score.

Two fourth-quarter TDs, a two-yard run by Rifanburg, and a 15-yard run by Hubbard with 3:12 remaining, sealed the win.

On defense, Mathew Tubbs recovered a key fumble in the fourth quarter at the Norwich 20. Cameron Ivan made a big fourth-quarter stop with Michael Carson, Paden Burlison, Marcus Benjamin, and Hubbard playing big D as well.  Alexander Wehrli recovered a fumble in the second quarter that led to a Cyclones score. Hubbard rushed for 101 yards with Rifanburg adding 80.

The Cyclones’ A team enjoyed a rare treat defeating Vernon-Vernon-Sherrill a second time this season, this time, 29-8.